Kernel Definition
kûrnəl
kernel, kernelled, kernels
noun
kernels
A grain or seed, as of corn, wheat, etc.
Webster's New World
The inner, softer part of a nut, fruit pit, etc.
Webster's New World
The central, most important part of something; core; essence.
Webster's New World
A small amount of something, especially when potentially developing into something else.
Detected a kernel of anger in his remarks.
American Heritage
A small mass around which other matter is concreted; a nucleus; a concretion or hard lump in the flesh.
Wiktionary
verb
kernels
To enclose as a kernel.
Webster's New World
Other Word Forms of Kernel
Noun
Singular:
kernel
Plural:
kernelsOrigin of Kernel
-
From Middle English kernel, kirnel, kürnel, from Old English cyrnel, from Proto-Germanic *kurnilaz, diminutive of *kurną (“seed, grain, corn”), equivalent to corn + -le. Cognate with Middle Dutch kernel, cornel, Middle High German kornel. Related also to Old Norse kjarni (“kernel”).
From Wiktionary
-
Middle English from Old English cyrnel gr̥ə-no- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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